Protest against high cost of living ends in riots and

Protest against high cost of living ends in riots and attempted invasion of Suriname parliament

1 of 1 Riots in the streets of Paramaribo — Photo: Rinus Baes/Portal Riots in the streets of Paramaribo — Photo: Rinus Baes/Portal

A protest against the high cost of living in Suriname led to riots in the capital Paramaribo this Friday (17th), which according to information from Portal and AFP were broken up by security forces in looting of businesses and an attempt to break into parliament agencies.

Between 1,000 and 2,000 people gathered in the center of the capital Paramaribo in the morning to protest against rising food, petrol and electricity prices and to accuse President Chan Santokhi’s government of corruption.

Around noon, some protesters broke through the police cordons protecting Parliament and attempted to enter the building, throwing bottles and stones at police, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. According to the Portal agency, some managed to enter the country, but were then turned back by the security forces.

Shops were looted, including a telephone shop. A car was set on fire and attempts were made to set fire to several buildings. Several people were injured.

The government issued a statement condemning the unrest and warning it would “under no circumstances allow the rule of law and democratic institutions” to be “affected” in Suriname.

“We condemn and reject in the strongest terms what happened today in the National Assembly [Parlamento] and surroundings,” he added. “They forcibly entered buildings and rooms in the House of Democracy and wreaked havoc. Strong action has been taken against those who ordered, carried out and provoked these attacks.”

Attorney General Kenneth Amoksi said the situation was “under control”.

“We see unrest in other countries and we are not used to such things in Suriname,” Amoksi told reporters. “We will prosecute those responsible,” he said.

Political activist Stephano “Pakittow” Biervliet called for the demonstration.

The unions had not officially called for this mobilization, but it coincided with a strike already called for Thursday and Friday.

“I left work early to join the protest. I can’t even make it halfway through the month, I have three kids to feed and two jobs. Prices go up every day,” Agnes told AFP, who didn’t want her last name revealed.

“I can’t afford gas to go to work and take my kids to school,” complained Alfred, another protester who also declined to give his last name.

Suriname, a small country in northeastern South America with 600,000 inhabitants, is falling into a severe economic crisis with runaway inflation and enormous foreign debt.

The former Dutch colony is eagerly awaiting exploration of its oil reserves, which are expected to be substantial.

The government insists it must cut spending as part of an economic restructuring program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and has implemented tax reforms that include ending electricity, water and petrol subsidies and a new business tax.

This policy has been the target of fierce criticism from the opposition and trade unions.

Suriname signed an agreement worth US$690 million (Reais 3.6 billion) with the IMF, but funds were frozen due to failure to meet required conditions.